When Joanne Casey began her Higher Degree by Research (HDR) postgraduate journey at UniSC, she already had extensive experience working in three sectors of education (Government, Catholic and Independent) across primary, secondary and tertiary settings.

From working as a primary school teacher, to supporting school leaders as a consultant, literacy coach, Head of Department, project manager, training associate, and lecturer and sessional tutor at UniSC, Joanne was adept at helping others learn and had already completed a Master of Education and Training at a different university.

And yet, she says the self-doubt still crept in as she headed back to uni as a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student. “I felt lost and totally out of my depth, questioning my intellectual capacity to work my way through such a mammoth undertaking,” she recalls.

Then, there was the fact that her first class, a prerequisite course in education research methodology, took place on a Friday afternoon – right at the end of a busy week.

“I met that course with dread and trepidation,” Joanne says, “yet, very quickly, I realised rather than being exhausted by these ‘gatherings’, I was energised and began looking forward to the next week’s face to face meeting.

“Dread and trepidation changed to eagerness as I attended these lectures late on a Friday afternoon, even after a long work week,” she says.

“On self-reflection, I asked, ‘What is happening in this classroom that has me transforming from an apprehensive and sceptical student, to one who is eager to attend and more engaged as weeks go by?’.

“It was learning like no other I had experienced previously… which I attribute to a number of key ingredients – a gifted teacher, diversity and a general willingness for those gathering to be open to possibilities. For me, it became the ultimate learning experience, one I wanted to continue long after the official course was over.”

The strength of human connection is a key factor in Joanne’s postgraduate journey. “My cohort was an incredibly important part of the experience,” she said.

“After the course we kept working together, ‘outside’ any institutional requirements to do so. We came together because we had to, but we continue to meet because we want to.”

The course structure was also an important piece of the puzzle. While the foundation was built around familiar and necessary prescribed courses, the difference lay in the way it was delivered that promoted free-flowing thinking and conversation.

“It felt like being invited to a weekly gathering for like-minded multidisciplinary people interested in diverse yet related topics,” she said.

Along with the connections she made amongst her cohort, Joanne said her teacher was an integral part of the experience. “Our teacher demonstrated genuine interest and curiosity in each person’s research and supported them individually and collectively to further their own work and the work of others,” she says.

As an HDR student at UniSC, Joanne enjoyed multi-disciplinary supervision with faculty from both the schools of Education and Tertiary Access and Business and Creative Industries. She was also exposed to opportunities such as presenting at conferences and connecting with leaders in their fields, all of which contributed to and reinforced the pursuit of her own research.

Joanne said her experience has broadened her appreciation for having the flexibility and time to dedicate to further study. “Having dedicated time and headspace for discussing ideas with colleagues in similar work or study circumstances, is precious,” she says.